Seoul:<Text>
A special investigation committee on the Itaewon crowd crush decided Friday to file a complaint against former President Yoon Suk Yeol for refusing to attend its hearing.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Song Ki-choon, chairperson of the National Commission for the Investigation of the October 29 Itaewon Disaster and Prevention of Recurrence, announced the decision on the last day of a two-day hearing. The hearing was held to uncover the truth behind the tragic crowd accident that resulted in the deaths of 159 people in the central Seoul district in October 2022, during Yoon's presidency.
The commission had requested Yoon to attend the Friday session of the hearing; however, he declined, citing his trial schedule. Yoon has been in custody while facing trials over his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, along with other charges. Song mentioned that judges handling Yoon's cases had adjusted his trial schedule at the commission's request, yet he did not appear at the hearing on Friday morning as previously arranged.
A special law regarding the Itaewon disaster indicates that failing to appear at a hearing without a justifiable reason, or refusing to take an oath or testify, could lead to imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 30 million won (US$20,130).
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